OXIDATION REDUCTION

Section I

Example 1: Na

Na+ + e

Example 2: 2C1-

Cl2 + 2e

Example 3: K+ + e

Example 4: C12 + 2e

2Cl-

1.

The oxidation number of group I A is always (+) 1.

2.

The oxidation number of group II A is always (+) 2.

3.

The oxidation number of oxygen is -2 exception peroxides. In peroxides the oxidation number of
oxygen is -l. Example of peroxides: H202, Na202.

4.

The oxidation number of hydrogen is +1 except in hydrides. In hydrides the oxidation number
of H is -1. Example of hydrides: NaH, LiH.

5.

The algebraic sum of the oxidation number of all atoms in a neutral compound is zero.

6.

The oxidation number of elements in its free state is zero.

7.

The oxidation number of the halogens is -1 when they combine with hydrogen or with a metal in
a binary compound.

We will discuss the ion-electron method first. The following steps are recommended.
1.

Write the redox reaction as 2 half-cell reactions. A half-cell reaction representing oxidation and
the other half-cell reaction representing reduction.

2.

Balance each half-cell individually.

3.

To balance oxygen, add H20 molecules to the side where oxygen needs to be added.

4.

To balance hydrogen add H+ to the opposite side where water molecules were added.

5.

The charge on each half-cell reaction is balanced by adding electrons to the appropriate side
(usually on the same side where H+ are added).

6.

To balance the two half-cell reactions we need to make the number of e's lost equal number of e's
gained by multiplying the two half-cell reactions by the appropriate number and adding:
Example 5: Fe + C12
A: C12
B: Fe

Fe+2 + C1C1- red.

Fe+2 ox.

Now we balance each half-cell reaction individually.

2C1

C: 2e + Cl2
D: Fe

Fe+2 + 2e

Note that half-cell reaction C gained 2e while half-cell reaction D lost 2e. Therefore, the number of e's lost
is equal to the number of e's gained. To get the total reaction we simply add reactions C and D.
C: 2e + ClD: Fe

Fe + C12

2C1

Fe+2 + 2e
Fe+2 + 2C1-

Note: C12 is the oxidation agent; it oxidizad Fe from oxidation state of zero to +2. The Fe is the reducing
agent; it reduced the oxidation number of chlorine from 0 to -1.
Also, note that the reducing agent (Fe) was oxidized and the oxidizing agent (C12) was reduced.
Example 6: MnO4- + C1A: C1B: MnO4-

Mn+2 + C12

C12

ox.

Mn+2

red.

Balance each half-cell reaction. To balance A multiply C1 by 2; then add 2e to the right side of the reaction
to obtain reaction C.
C: 2C1B: MnO4-

Cl2 + 2e
Mn+2

To balance oxygen in half-cell reaction B, add 4 moles of H20 to the right side to obtain reaction D.
D: MnO4-

Mn+2 + 4H20

To balance the hydrogen add 8H+ to the opposite side where H20 molecules were added and obtain E.
E: 8H+ + MnO4-

Mn+2 + 4H20

The net charge on the left side of the half-cell reaction E is +7 and on the right side is +2. To balance the
charge add 5e to the left side of the reaction to obtain F.
F: 5e + 8H+ + MnO4C: 2Cl-

Mn+2 + 4H20

C12 + 2e

Half-cell reaction F gained 5e, while half-cell reaction C lost 2e. To balance the gain and loss multiply
half-cell reaction F by 2 and half-cell reaction C by 5 and add.

10e + 16H+ + 2MnO4-

2Mn+2 + 8H2O

10Cl-

5C12 + 10e

16H+ + 2MnO4- + 10C1-

2Mn+2 + 8H2O + 5C12

Example 7: Cr2O72- + I-

Cr+3 + I2

A: Cr2O72B: I-

Cr+3

I2

C: Cr2O72-

2Cr+3

D: Cr2O72-

2Cr+3 + 7H2O

E: 14H+ + Cr2O72-

2Cr+3 + 7H2O

The net charge on the left side of the half-cell reaction is +12 (14 - 2 = 12), while on the right side is +6 (2
x 3). To balance the charge add 6e to the left side and obtain Reaction F.
F: 6e+ 14H++ Cr2O72G: 2I-

I2

H: 2I-

I2 + 2e

2Cr+3 + 7H2O

To balance the gain and the loss of es, multiply Reaction H by 3 obtaining Reaction I. Add I and F.
I: 6I-

3I2 + 6e

F: 6e + 14H+ + Cr2O72-

14H+ + Cr2O72- + 6I-

2Cr+3 + 7H2O

2Cr+3 + 7H2O + 3I2

BALANCING REDOX REACTIONS BY CHANGE IN OXIDATION NUMBER METHOD:

Example 8: Fe + C12

FeCl2

Oxidation number of Fe = 0
Oxidation number of Cl2 + O
Oxidation number of Fe in FeCl2 = +2
Oxidation number of C1 in FeCl2 = -1

The summary is given by Reaction A:

0 gain of le/atom or a total of 2e

FeC12

Reaction A: Fe + C12

loss of 2e

+2

The loss of e's is equal to the gain of e's.

Example 9: H2SO4 + HI

H2S + I2 + H2O

Establish the oxidation number of each atom in the equation.

S in H2SO4 = +6
I in HI = -1
S in H2S = -2
The summary is shown by Reaction B.
-1 loss of le 0

Reaction B: H2SO4 + 8HI

+6

H2S + 4I2 + 4H2O

gain of 8 -2

On the left side we have 8HI; therefore, multiply I2 on the right side by 4 to balance the I. Left side 4
oxygen; therefore, multiply H2O on the right side by 4 to balance the oxygen.
Example 10:

KMnO4 + HC1

MnCl2 + KCl + H2O

Oxidation number of C1 in HC1 is -1

Oxidation number of Mn in KMnO4 is +7
Oxidation number of Mn in MnCl2 is +2
Oxidation number of C12 is 0
The summary is shown by Reaction C
Reaction C:
-1
KMnO4 + HC1

+7 5e gain of

loss le

MnCl2 + H2O + KC1 + C12

+2
5e

We multiply the HC1 by 5, but in this case we have to notice that the HC1 was partly used as a reducing
agent and partly used to supply the Mn+2 and the K+ with C1-. Therefore, in addition to the 5 molecules we
need to add 2 molecules of HC1 to supply 2C1- for the Mn+2 and one molecule of HC1 to supply one
chloride ion for the K+. Adding these gives 8 HC1 as shown by Reaction D.
Reaction D: KMnO4 + 8HC1

MnCl2 + 5/2C12 + KC1 + 4H2O

The rest of the reaction is balanced by inspection.

On the left side we have 4 oxygens; therefore, multiply the H20 by 4. On the left side we have 8 chlorines;
therefore, multiply the C12 by 5/2. We already have 3 other chlorine (MnCl2 and KC1). To get rid of the
fraction, multiply all compounds in reaction D by 2 to obtain Reaction E.
Reaction E:2KMnO4 + 16HC1

2MnCl2 + 5C12 + 2KCl + 8H2O

Compare example 6 with example 10; it is seen that both of these examples are the same.
Example 6: 16H+ + 2MnO4- + 10C1Example 10: 2KMnO4 + 16HC1

2Mn+2 + 5C12 + 8H2O

2MnCl2 + 5C12 + 8H2O + 2KC1

The reason why we have 16H+ and 10C1- in the ion-electron method is because we did not add the 4C1- for
2Mn+2 nor did we add the C1- attached to the K+.
The equivalent weight of oxidizing or a reducing agent is equal to its molecular weight divided by the
number of transferred e' s.
Equivalent weight of KMnO4 in example 10 =

Equivalent weight of H2SO4 in example 9 of

158
= 31.6
5
98
= 12.25
8

So then to prepare 1N solution of KMnO4 used in example 10, dissolve 31.6 g of KMnO4 in 1 liter of
solution.

Section II
1. Balance the following redox reactions using the ion electron method:
Zn2+ + NO2

a.

Zn + NO3-

b.

Zn + NO3-

Zn2+ + N2O

c.

Zn + NO3-

Zn2+ + N2

d.

Fe2+ + MnO4-

e.

Ag + NO3-

Ag+ + NO

f.

PbO2 + C1-

Pb2+ + C12

g.

Fe+2 + Cr2O72-

h.

Cr2O72- + I-

i.

A1 + H+

j.

C1O3-

Fe3+ + Mn+2

Fe3+ + Cr3+
Cr3+ + I2

A1+3 +H2
C1O4- + C1O2

2. Balance the following redox reactions using the change in oxidation number method.
a.

NH3 + O2

NO + H2O

b.

CuO + NH3

N2 + H2O + Cu

c.

H2S +H2O2

S + H2O

d.

Sn + HNO3

SnO2 + NO2 + H2O

e.

CuS + HNO3

f.

KMnO4 + HC1

g.

Cu + HNO3

h.

CdS + I2 + HC1

i.

HC1O3

j.

KBr + H2SO4

Cu(NO3)2 + S + NO + H2O
KC1 + MnCl2 + C12 + H2O
Cu(NO3)2 + NO + H2O
CdCl2 + HI + S

HC1O4 + C1O2 + H2O

K2SO4 + Br2 + SO2 + H2O

3. Calculate the equivalent weight of:

a.

KMnO4 in f of number 2

b.

HNO3 in e of number 2

c.

HC1O3 in i of number 2

4. Balance the following redox reactions using both the change in oxidation number method and the
electron method.
(a) Fe2O3 + S

Fe + SO2

(b) NH3 + O2

NO + H2O

(c) N2O + H2

H2O + NH3

(d) Cu + HNO3
(e) FeS + HNO3

Cu(NO3)2 + NO2 + H2O

Fe(NO3)3 + S + NO2 + H2O

(f) KMnO4 + SnF2+HF

MnF2 + SnF4 + KF + H2O

(g) Cr2O3 + Na2CO3 + KNO3

Na2CrO4 + CO2 + KNO2

(h) Na2SO3 + H2SO4 + KMnO4

K2SO4 + MnSO4 + Na2SO4 + H2O

(i) KBrO3 + Fe(NO3)2 + HNO3

KBr + Fe(NO3)3 + H2O

(j) HgS + HNO3 + HCl

HgCl2 + NO + S + H2O

ANSWERS
l. a.

Zn

+2

Zn

+ 2e

[e + 2H+ + NO3-

NO2 + H2O] 2

2/ + Zn + 4H+ + 2N03b.

[Zn

Zn+2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O + 2/e

Zn+2 + 2e] 4

8e + l0H+ + 2NO3-

N2O + 5H2O

4Zn + 8e + l0H+ + 2NO3c.

[Zn

Zn+2 + 2e] 5

l0e + 12H+ + 2NO3-

N2 + 6H2O

10e + 5Zn + 12H+ + 2NO3[Fe+2

d.

Mn+2 + 4H2O

5e + 5Fe+2 + 8H+ + MnO4[Ag

NO + 2H2O

3Ag + 3e + 4H+ + NO32Cl-

3Ag+ + NO + 2H2O + 3e

Cl2 + 2e

2e + 4H+ + PbO2

Pb+2 + 2H2O

2e + 2Cl- + 4H+ + PbO2

[Fe+2

g.

Cl2 + Pb+2 + 2H2O + 2e

Fe+3 + e] 6

6e + 14H+ + Cr2O7=

2Cr+3 + 7H2O

6Fe+2 + 6e + 14H+ + Cr2O7=

h.

[2I-

2Cr+3 + 7H2O

6e + 14H+ + Cr2O7= + 6I[A1

6Fe+3 + 2Cr+3 + 7H2O + 6e

I2 + 2e] 3

6e + 14H+ + Cr2O7=

i.

5Fe+3 + Mn+2 + 4H2O + 5e

Ag+ + e] 3

3e + 4H+ + NO3-

f.

5Zn+2 + N2 + 6H2O + 10e

Fe+3 + e] 5

5e + 8H+ + MnO4-

e.

4Zn+2 + N2O + 5H2O + 8e

2Cr+3 + 7H2O + 3I2 + 6e

A1+3 + 3e] 2

[2e + 2H+

H2] 3

2A1 + 6e + 6H+

2A1+3 + 6e + 3H2

j.

[H2O + C1O3-

C1O4- + 2H+ + 2e]

[e + 2H+ + C1O3-

C1O2 + H2O] 2

H2O + 3C1O3- + 2e + 4H+

3C1O3- + 2H+

C1O4- + 2H+ + 2C1O2 + 2H2O + 2e

H2O + C1O4- + 2C1O2

0 gain 2e/at or 4e
2.

a.

4NH3 + 5O2

4NO + 6H2O

-3 loss of 5c(ox) +2
-3 loss of 3e 0(ox)
b.

N2 + 3H2O + 3Cu

3CuO + 2NH3
+2

+2 gain of 2e (red)

-2 loss of 2e 0(ox)
c.

H2S + H2O2

S + 2H2O

-1 gain of le/atom or 2 -e
+5 gain of le (red) +4
d.

Sn + 4HNO3

SnO2 + 4NO2 + 2H2O

0 loss of 4e (ox) +4
+5
e.

f.

gain of 3e (ox)

+2

3Cu(NO3)2 + 3S + 2NO + 4H2O

3CuS + 6HNO3
+
2
-2
loss of 2e (ox)
0
8
"
-l loss of le (ox) 0
+3
KC1 + MnC12 + 5C12 + 4H2O
KMnO4 + 5HC1
+7 gain of 5e (red) +2
2

or
2KMnO4 + 16HC1

2KC1 + 2MnCl2 + 2MnCl2 +2C12 + 8H2O

+5
g.

gain of 3e (red)

3Cu + 8HNO3

+2

3Cu (NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O

0 loss of 2e (ox) + 2

0 gain of le/atom or 2 -1
h.

2CdS + 2I2 + 4HCl

-2

2CdCl2 + 4HI + 2S

-2 loss of 2e (ox)

or
CdS + I2 + 2HC1

CdCl2 + 2HI + S

+5 gain of le (red) +4
i.

3HClO3

HClO4 + 2C1O2 + H2O

+5 loss of 2e (ox) +7
+6 gain of 2e (red)
j.

2KBr + 2H2SO4
-1

3.

+4

K2SO4 + Br2 + SO2 + 2H2O

loss of le (ox)

a.

Equivalent Weight of KMnO4 = 158.1/5=31.62

b.

Equivalent Weight of HNO3 = 63/3 = 21

c.

Equivalent Weight of HC1O3 = 84.5/3 = 28.17